After years of cursing your monthly cycle, missing a period can suddenly make you anxious. You might check your period tracker and realize that your period is indeed late. If it’s completely missed and you’re feeling nauseous, it could be a sign of pregnancy — especially if you’re not ready to have a baby.
The next thought that comes to mind is usually abortion, which can be a tough emotional decision. Understanding all stages of abortion process can help you make an informed choice with confidence.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Stages of Abortion Process
Stage 1: Consultation with a Medical Professional
The first and most important step is to visit your general practitioner (GP) or a sexual health clinic. During this visit, talk openly about your thoughts on abortion. Your healthcare provider will offer guidance, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
Stage 2: Medical Assessment
Within about five days of your initial consultation, you’ll have a follow-up appointment. This visit usually includes:
- Confirmation of pregnancy and determination of the gestational age
- Discussion about whether additional procedures like STI testing are needed
- Detailed explanation about your abortion options — whether you prefer a medical abortion (using abortion pills) or a surgical abortion
Stage 3: Beginning the Medical Abortion
If you decide on a medical abortion, the process takes place in two stages.
On the first day, you’ll take Mifepristone 200 mg, which blocks the hormone progesterone that supports pregnancy. This stops the pregnancy from progressing.
You can conveniently buy abortion pills online or purchase the MTP Kit, which contains both Mifepristone and Misoprostol — the two essential medicines used for a medical abortion.
Stage 4: Taking Misoprostol (Second Step)
Within 24 to 48 hours after taking Mifepristone, you’ll take Misoprostol. This medicine belongs to the prostaglandin category and helps the womb contract to expel pregnancy tissue.
You can take Misoprostol:
- Buccally (placing it between your cheek and gum)
- Sublingually (under your tongue)
- Vaginally (by inserting it into the vagina)
After taking Misoprostol, you’ll experience bleeding and cramping — similar to a miscarriage.
If your gestation period is under 8 weeks, complications are generally minimal. For pregnancies beyond that, your doctor will guide you carefully through the process.
Stage 5: Managing Bleeding and Recovery
After taking both pills, the effects usually begin within 4–6 hours, though for some women, it may take longer.
When bleeding begins, it can last a few days, with spotting possibly continuing for up to a few weeks.
It’s normal to see clots or pregnancy tissue, sometimes about the size of a lemon. You may also experience period-like cramps, which can be relieved with a hot water bag or pain relievers recommended by your doctor.
Stage 6: Follow-Up Appointment
Your healthcare provider will likely schedule a follow-up appointment to confirm that the abortion procedure is complete. This visit ensures that your recovery is on track and helps address any physical or emotional concerns.
Stage 7: Returning to Normal Cycle
Your menstrual cycle usually returns within six weeks after a medical abortion.
Fertility resumes quickly, so if you wish to avoid another pregnancy, it’s essential to start an effective birth control method as recommended by your medical expert.
Final Thoughts
Going through an abortion can bring up a mix of emotions—relief, worry, sadness, or uncertainty—and all of these feelings are valid. Understanding the stages of the abortion process can help ease some of that anxiety by giving you a clear sense of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Knowing how your body responds at each step empowers you to make informed decisions and prepares you for a smoother, safer recovery.